Emotional issues that arise during a job search and how to cope with them


Many of these sites are centered on the loss of a job, however many of these emotions arise when completing a job search, especially if new to the job market. Even if you have not lost job these sites can help explain and alleviate some stress that can result from the job hunt. On this page we have also added some information about job searching in a tough market (like the one in the US right now). By learning about strategies in this kind of market and understanding the market itself you can prevent stress than can build during the search process.

Job Loss and Unemployment Stress

Helpguide.org
Issues people deal with after a job loss:
  • Loss of your professional identity
  • Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Loss of your daily routine
  • Loss of purposeful activity
  • Loss of your work-based social network
  • Loss of your sense of security
Coping tips
  • Face your feelings
  • Reach out
  • Involve your family
  • Take care of yourself
  • Stay positive

How to Move on after a Job Loss

The Engineering Daily
Emotions you may feel - anger, frustration, denial, self-pity. Adaptation at the end of the cycle - accept the situation and deal with it. Trick is to move to adaptation as fast as possible.
Closure - never blame yourself. Think about the opportunity to transition to a new job or career. Need closure and focus to deal with the transition. Think positively and worry about the basics.
Take care of the basics - health insurance & finances
Move on - figure out how to proceed (switch careers, back to school, evaluate goals, etc)

Coping with Job Loss

Cope, Inc.
Losing a job can be one of the most devastating personal experiences in life. Unemployment, divorce, and the death of a loved one are considered to be the most stressful events that an individual ever experiences.
The losses include:
  • Loss of self-esteem
  • Loss of a daily routine
  • Loss of purposeful activity
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of predictability and sense of security
Job loss presents an opportunity for growth and discovery. Emotional stages to work through:
  1. Vent anger and resentment
  2. Acknowledge the loss and seek support
  3. Reassess
  4. Think about your family
  5. Maintain financial stability

The Job Loss Guide

http://www.joblossguide.com/
The Job Loss Guide offers assistance in:
  • Job Loss survival
  • Coping with job loss grief
  • the "Ten-Second" resume
  • Job search strategic plan
It is also a blog for those who have survived job loss to encourage those currently going through that time or for those who are experiencing job loss to seek assistance and advice. They encourage those who have lost their job to post their stories in order to cope. Here is what the creators of the blog have to say about it:
Writing down your "story" can help you come to grips with what has happened or is happening to you. That doesn't mean you need to write it here, but if you do it can help others who read it, too. They will see that someone else has the same problems, fears, anger, etc., that they have. And, what they write may help you in return, as well as others. That's why we call it a network.

Riley Guide

Coping with Job Loss
The Riley Guide has recently posted a page on coping with job loss. Not only do they address the emotional issues one has to deal with, but they also provide information on continuing or securing new health insurance. They also have information on how to apply for unemployment and support group links. The Job Loss Guide is one of the links they provide in their section "Advice on Surviving Job Loss."

Rebound: A Proven Plan for Stating Over After Job Loss

www.reboundyourcareer.com
A book by Martha Finney that provides strategies for and discusses the process and effects of a layoff. Section Five discusses "Landing Your Next Job," which includes information on networking and planning your strategy. This book also has lots of information on how to cope with the emotional stress of layoffs or job loss.

American Psychological Association

http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=197
The APA site has an interesting article about the transition from being student and transitioning into the workforce. Some tips mentioned include staying positive and getting connected with outside resources.


Job Hunting in Tough Economic Times-Avoiding the Emotional Stress



Staying Up Beat

This article presented by quintcareers.com provides tips for how to stay positive (which in turn helps land jobs) in a market that is anything but positive.
http://www.quintcareers.com/ job-hunting_weak_job-market. html

"Job Hunting in a Tough Economy"

This University of Minnesota Career Center article provides tips on how to get expand your horizons when the job market is tight. Some tips include looking for temporary work, be willing do do internships (even after graduation), and to network as much as possible.
http://www.cclc.umn.edu/ jobsearch/economy.html

"7 Types for Hunting in a Tougher Market"

Ask Annie blogger Annie Fisher lists seven helpful tips to getting a job in this market.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/ 12/news/economy/job.hunting. fortune/index.htm

A How To Guide

Salisbury University Career Center provides basic information on the state of the job market for college graduates and then provides strategies for the search in the described situation.
http://www.salisbury.edu/ careerservices/students/ Presentations/ToughEconomy. html

ALA Suggestions

This article is particularly useful for those going into the library field. It outlines a panel discussion held at the Summer 2009 ALA conference that described tips for those seeking positions in the information professions. It also provides specific resources for those who are searching.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/ rts/nmrt/news/footnotes/ august_2009/ALA_print_layout_ 1_556974_556974.cfm